The green way to clean out your office

Victorian businesses looking to revamp their office space can turn to a Melbourne social enterprise that reuses and recycles unwanted office equipment.

Green Collect is helping businesses keep tonnes of office equipment out of landfill and providing employment for people facing challenges finding work.

The social enterprise reuses or recycles more than 100 types of office items that would otherwise be thrown out, including IT equipment, mobile phones, furniture, kitchen appliances and crockery.

Items that can be reused are prepared for sale through Green Collect’s retail stores, while those that are unusable are dismantled and the parts recycled. 42% of the items collected are reused, and 52% are recycled.

As well as contributing to the circular economy and keeping tonnes of nonbiodegradable material out of landfill, Green Collect is employing people who often face challenges finding work.

Green Collect picks up items from offices then sorts them at its warehouse in Braybrook, in Melbourne’s inner west. It reports back to offices on the quantity and outcome of all items processed for inclusion in sustainability targets.

Between 1 July and 31 October 2022, Green Collect repurposed more than 1600 tonnes of equipment from the former Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions alone.

“We see staff at Green Collect who have overcome significant challenges, whether due to disability or disadvantage, now thriving in an environment where their skills and passions are surfaced and valued.

“The transition to a circular economy not only gives us the tools to tackle climate change but also the opportunity to create a more inclusive jobs sector that works for the wellbeing of both people and the planet.

“Through social procurement, government and business are able to generate additional value in their supply chains - and with Green Collect this means growing jobs and social resilience while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution.”

Green Collect can be contacted by emailing info@greencollect.org or call 03 9663 8843.

For more information, visit www. greencollect.org.